Talk of the Town
UWF prepares camellia garden

Pensacola Camellia Club and University of West Florida Retired Employees Association

The Pensacola Camellia Club (PCC) and University of West Florida (UWF) Retired Employees Association (REA) announced the initial plantings for UWF Camellia Garden will be held today at 9:30 a.m. at the UWF Green between the psychology, science and library buildings. The Camellia Garden is a joint project of PCC and the UWF REA.

Linda Dye, President of the REA, said, "We are pleased to partner with the PCC in this effort. This Camellia Garden is a gift to UWF in celebration of their 40th anniversary."

Skip Vogelsang, President of the PCC, said, "This garden is the result of much planning by the principals of both organizations. It is the culmination of a long-held goal of having a place of beauty, which will showcase some of the Pensacola Five- Flags camellia varieties. There are over 100 such varieties, which have been registered with the American Camellia Society by PCC members. One example is Lady Laura developed by the late Dr. T. E. Lundy. This lovely camellia is acclaimed worldwide."

The camellia garden will have an official dedication later in the year. The gardens will be maintained by the cooperative effort of the PCC and REA and support from UWF.

Some of the less widely known Pensacola camellia varieties are still eluding the principal "camellia detectives" Ben Williamson and Gordon Eade, members of both PCC and REA. Williamson reports recent success in finding ten such varieties that have been classified as "lost." The search for the lost Pensacola varieties is at a peak now that the camellias are in the midst of the blooming season. The search is not only local, but nationwide. Previously lost Pensacola camellias have been located in Augusta, Ga. and Seattle, Wash. Williamson requests that you call him at 850-432-3101 if you have unidentified camellias and think you may have a Pensacola variety. For further information and PCC membership, contact Gordon Eade 850-476-4760 or visit www.pensacolacamelliaclub. com.

The Gulf Breeze Hospital Auxiliary

Betty Archer Allen/Gulf Breeze News From left, Jeff Sessions, Lauretta Aiken, Kelly Merritt Richards, and James Owens were welcomed as guests of The Santa Rosa Republican Women's Network

The Gulf Breeze Hospital Auxiliary plans a St. Patrick's Day Card Party for March 14 at the First Presbyterian Church. The tickets went on sale Feb. 1 and must be purchased by March 7 so that the caterer will know how many lunches to make.

The Gulf Breeze Hospital Auxiliary will hold a bath and beauty sale today, Thursday, Feb. 7 from 7 a.m. until 4 p.m. in the hospital lobby. You will find many new and exciting items for gifts as well as for you're own bath and beauty needs. Join them and stock up to keep your skin beautiful during winter weather as well as during the summer heat. For further information, contact Maureen Crooker at 850-932-8004.

Santa Rosa Republican Women's Network

The Santa Rosa Republican Women's Network (SRRWN) met Tuesday, Jan. 19, at the Gulf Breeze IHOP restaurant.

The camellia pink perfection assortment, pictured left, is a popular favorite in Pensacola and the world over. Picture courtesy of Norman Vickers

James Owens and Kelly Merritt Richards, who are running for the district public defender position, were the featured speakers. Jeff Sessions, who is running for Tax Collector of Santa Rosa County, and Lauretta Aiken, running for District 5 Santa Rosa County Commissioner, gave brief talks about their campaign.

A district meeting will be held on Feb. 9 in Crestview, and the annual meeting of the Florida Republican Women's Network will be April 7 through 9. Members were encouraged to sign up and plan to attend either or both of these meetings. The next regular meeting of the SRRWN will be Feb. 26, at 11:30 a.m., at the IHOP restaurant in Gulf Breeze. For reservations, contact Jodi at Spassport@aol.com, or Nancy at cole269@mchsi.com. All Republican women are invited to join the group.

Gulf Isle Neighbors

The Gulf Isle Neighbors will hold their luncheon meeting on Feb. 13 at the Gulf Isle Neighbors luncheon, held at the Pensacola Civic Center. Gulf Breeze Assistant City Manager David Szymanski will be the guest speaker. The doors open at 11 a.m. and lunch is at 12:15 p.m. The cost for this event, which includes lunch, is $10. Please call 850-934-6150. Feb. 8 is the deadline for reservations.

The Flash 'n Fashion event will be March 12 at the Mustin Beach Officers Club on NAS Pensacola. Brenda Carraway of Fashion Connection will present an array of styles. There will be raffles and door prizes. They invite everyone to come and enjoy the day and at the same time have pleasure of assisting these two fine organizations, The Zoo and Salvation Army will benefit from the proceeds of this fashion show and luncheon. The cost is $25 per person. Please contact 850-934- 2845 or 850-932-7992 by March 7 for reservations.

Hoe 'n Hum Garden Club plants tree for Arbor Day

Hoe 'n Hum Garden Club met Thursday, Jan. 24 at 11 a.m. at Tea Time restaurant in Gulf Breeze. President Ellen Webb opened the meeting and thanked Judy Barousse, Sara Mae King and Tina Dave for hosting such an elegant luncheon that was enjoyed by everyone.

From the luncheon the club members made their way to the zoo where they planted a tree in observance of Arbor Day. Claire Carlson, Arbor Day chairwoman, organized the planting of a Silver Maple at The ZOO - Northwest Florida. The Green - Up Nursery in Milton helped with the planting of the tree. The club also joined the community to support save the zoo by giving a generous donation.

The club toured the Green - Up Nursery Nov. 15. The nursery is well stocked with a variety of plants. John Tonkin, Executive Director of the Santa Rosa Clean Community System, Inc., led the club memwww. tropical green house, and gift shop. During the tour, he identified plants and trees telling their preference for planting and answered questions for the club members.

The Santa Rosa Clean Community System, represented Tonkin, is a non-profit environmental education, awareness and action organization that serves all of Santa Rosa County. The system serves the community through over 25 environments programs. The system educates the public and schools on issues ranging from recycling and landfill operation to landscaping and water and land conservation. It serves as the administrative oversight for the Panhandle Butterfly House in Navarre.

The Hoe 'n Hum Garden Club continue to participate in the beautification of the community.

Please call Ellen Webb, Publicity Chairman, at 850- 934-8047 for more information about the Club. AFCEA Blue Angels

Pensacola Chapter

The AFCEA Blue Angels Pensacola Chapter, in accordance with the AFCEA bylaws, is giving the official call for nominations for the 2008-2009 open officer positions. Nominations are being accepted for president, vice president, vice president of awards and education, vice president of plans and programs, and vice president of membership. The current board of directors will consider nominations and the winners will be announced at the next meeting that is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 21. The location of the meeting will be announced to those who subscribe to the mailing list at http://tinyurl.com/ywbach.

The deadline for nominations is Thursday, Feb. 14. A generic nomination email reply will be accepted. Simply indicate in the email the position for which the candidate is being nominated. All nominations should delineate service and contributions to AFCEA, as well as professional qualifications and accomplishments. A brief biography would be appreciated with any new nominations. Please submit all nominations to AFCEA Blue Angels Pensacola Chapter Vice President Robyn Philips via email at rsvp@afceapns.org.

Gulf Coast Friends Meet The New World Landing in Pensacola was the location of Gulf Coast Friends' regular meeting that was held on Thursday, Jan. 10. There were 74 members and two guests present. Barbara Smelstoys presented the entertainment, Three's Company, a 3-part harmony group from Ft. Walton Beach who fashion themselves after the Andrews and McGuire Sisters.

Women living in Gulf Breeze are invited to attend Gulf Coast Friends meetings. The next meeting will be held at the New World Landing on Feb. 14. If you live in Gulf Breeze and are interested in becoming a member of the Gulf Coast Friends charity organization, please contact President Jane Arnott at 850- 932-8429.